Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup
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Now that I look closer, the Pirates winger Hann is not in the squad from last year. I think his debut year suffered from the players inside him more than anything, so expected he would get another crack.
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@stockcar86 Josh Eden-Whaitiri was better at lock last year than that Waratah lock, Palmer. JE-W probably would have made squad if Ulufonua hadn't been there.
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Ellery Wilson missed out too I forgot about him.
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I've attempted to pick a match-day 23. Not exactly my preferred team, but more what I think the coaches may go for. It was quite difficult because I don't know the preferred position of some of the new players.
1 Jason Long
2 Ash Dixon
3 Ben May
4 Michael Allardice
5 Geoff Cridge
6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
7 Will Tremain; I don't know who else of the loosies is a 7; maybe Josh Kaifa or Solomone Funaki? They may prefer a more experienced player than Tremain.
8 Gareth Evans
9 Brad Weber
10 Tiaan Falcon
11 Mason Emerson
12 Pasqualle Dunn
13 Sasa Tofilau
14 Jonah Lowe (I'd prefer him at centre, but he was announced as a wing & I think that's where they'll name him)
15 JJ Taulagi16 Jacob Devery
17 Tim Farrell (if fit) / Pouri Rakete-Stones
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones / Joe Apikotoa or Mark Braidwood
19 Tom Parsons
20 Fa'alemiga Selesele (I'd prefer Devan Flanders, but I think they'll go for experience)
21 Folau Fakatava (only two halfbacks in the squad, so they pick themselves)
22 Lincoln McClutchie (same as halfback)
23 Stacey Ili (again, I'd prefer Danny Toala, but I think they'll pick the more experienced player, which I think is Ili, who - from what I've read - can play at multiple positions) -
Think the big squad could be due to a number of reasons- Having 7 at high school last year & 4 at high school in 2016, it’s likely a number of them are on close to minimum contracts. Side note-Does anyone know coaches intentions of whether they intend to allow those 7players to play Jock Hobbs? Allowing most of the import players to come to HB, play club rugby and earn a spot also means they’re likely to be being paid less as they’re after an opportunity at M10 rather than signing players in July who have been impressive at club level in their provinces but not considered for whatever reason. Also know Funaki was told after Manawatu game they wanted to sign him for 2019 but had already signed all their loosies for this year so maybe a few extra spots were created with players who demanded their way in on form. Other reasons may include new coach inheriting contracts he probably might not have wanted. Also not a whole load of star players who demand big money in squad this year, West would have opened a bit of cap space.
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@trooa Can't answer your question about the coaches' plans for U19 tournament, although it's worth noting that all of Toala, Flanders, Fakatava, Devery, Tavita-Metcalfe, Kereru-Symes, McClutchie and Farrell were named in the initial U19 training squad in June. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they'd play at the Jock Hobbs U19 tournament.
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Finally, a little bit of background info to the squad naming.
Six members of last year's unbeaten national champion Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV side punctuate the blend the coaching stable has assembled to weave some magic from "experience and youthful exuberance". Ozich, a former HBHS 1st XV mentor, said the pre-season matches so far had offered the promising and talented newcomers the opportunity to gain some exposure. "It's a big step up to the pace and physicality of the [cup] for those young guys so they can get a feel for it ... so the idea is to blood them through over time." That would vary for individuals, from a few months to a year or two, to make adjustments to fulfil their portfolios. "It's all part of it in managing those young guys. You don't want to set them up to fail or throw them in the deep end without any support.".
NTOB prop and 2017 world champion Baby Black Tim Farrell, while named, has been ruled out of the season with a shoulder injury while All Black lock Brodie Retallick isn't expected to to turn out due to international duties. MAC loose forward Solomone Funaki has been included as temporary injury cover for NOBM loosie Hannon Brighouse who is expected to be out for the first month due to a knee injury..
Ozich said the Magpies would endeavour to compete in every game when the cup begins from August 16. "Who knows what the outcomes will be. So there'll be a bit of rebuilding but we have to be realistic and also be pretty hellbent on competing to get better and challenge teams. "If we're young, hopefully, we're exciting and we will have a bit of experience around them," he said. "The big thing for me is the boys will compete and they won't give in, and show some pride in the jersey." No doubt the Magpies will have their fingers crossed to avoid grappling with the injury demons.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12103625
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I read that article as Ozich saying that we shouldn't expect the young ex-Hastings Boys players get much game time this season, although it's hard to see how that's possible with respect to Fakatava and McClutchie, because that would mean Weber and Falcon would have to play 80 minutes every game.
I think it's reasonable to expect all other young lads to play at the Jock Hobbs U19 tournament in September though.
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@stargazer I think thats smart,throwing young kids in too early can do more harm than good.That being said with guys like Cridge,Evans and Mays injury records plenty of the squad will get a run at some stage,imo.
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@kiwimatrix Yep, I agree. It's easy to get excited by all those youngsters being named in the squad but it's quite a step up from school rugby to Mitre 10 Cup.
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Magpies squad for the preseason game against Manawatu this afternoon (Tremain Field, k/o 1.00pm)
1 Mark Braidwood
2 Ben Power
3 Joe Apikotoa
4 Tom Parsons
5 Sam Ulufonua
6 Devan Flanders
7 Josh Kaifa
8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
9 Folau Fakatava
10 Tiaan Falcon
11 Mason Emerson (c)
12 Pasqualle Dunn
13 Stacey Ili
14 Michael Buckley
15 JJ Taulagi16 Kianu Kereru- Symes
17 Ash Dixon
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones
19 Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe
20 Michael Allardice
21 Fa’alemiga Selesele
22 Nathan Tweedy
23 Brad Weber
24 Sasa Tofilau
25 Shae Tucker
26 Danny ToalaAnyone able to go to give us some liveupdates?
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Evans and fellow Hurricane, prop Ben May, don't return until next week.Tremain, fellow loosies Solomone Funaki and Hannon Brighouse, props Jason Long and Tim Farrell, first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie and lock Geoff Cridge will all miss today's game with injuries. Hooker Jacob Devery has been released to play for the Saracens against Poverty Bay at Park Island tomorrow.I hope that injury list will be shorter when the season starts next week, although Farrell is out for the season and Brighouse for the the first month or so. I wonder who'll be the back-up first five-eighth in the absence of McClutchie? Taulagi, Toala, Ili?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12104320
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Devan Flanders with the line-break, going for our first try at the end of the first half.
Half time: Magpies 5 - 21 Turbos
It sounds a bit like a reality check. Glad some of the cavalry will be coming off the bench. Will be interesting to see what impact they'll have.
